By Susan Granger

Before he became enmeshed in disasters like “After Earth,” “Seven Pounds” and “Winter’s Tale,” Will Smith ruled the box-office with the “Men in Black” franchise and “Independence Day.”  Now he’s back in the crime caper “Focus.”

When debonair con-man Nick Spurgeon (Smith) challenges beautiful Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie) after she scams him at an upscale Manhattan hotel, she begs to become his protégé. A few months later, she joins him in New Orleans, where Nick and his highly-trained cohorts cleverly rob unsuspecting tourists in the French Quarter. Predictably, a romantic relationship develops but once the job is done – it’s over.

Or is it? Years later, they meet again in Buenos Aires, where Nick has hatched a car racing scheme. That catapults them into a Superdome skybox as Nick matches wits with a rich Chinese gambler. Saying more would constitute a “spoiler.”

What’s most fascinating is how Nick explains the psychological art of deception - courtesy of technical advisor Apollo Robbins, a sleight-of-hand artist who now serves as a security consultant.

The Westport Arts Center today hosted a brunch for supporters and staff and set up computers to allow them to participate in Fairfield County Giving Day, a one-day initiative to “give where you live.”  Nonprofits from throughout Fairfield County are participating in the event hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and sponsored by Bank of America. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Despite a report that Westport’s Tierra restaurant, 90 Post Road East in the basement of Old Town Hall, had closed, the restaurant with a Latin theme was very much in business tonight. Southport residents Lucinda Sill Morrison (l) and Amy Waugh Curry were greeted by waiter Haakon Sorenson and manager Christian Hurtado (r). Hurtado said a friend called him today and said he read that Tierra had closed. “I said ‘what?’” he said.” “I called the owner right away and asked am I out of a job?”  “She didn’t know what I was talking about.” Tierra serves dinner from Tuesday through Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., and is closed Sunday and Monday. The restaurant no longer serves lunch but may resume that in the summer, according to the employees. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

In rehearsal are Juliet Kimble as Mrs. Lovett and Everett Sussman in the title role of “Sweeney Todd (School Edition): The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” which is being put on by the Staples High School Players March. 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21. For further information, go to www.staplesplayers.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo by Kerry Long

Scenes from today’s Play with your Food lunchtime play reading at Toquet Hall in Westport, which continues Wednesday and Thursday (sold out), then moves to Fairfield on March 10, and Greenwich on March 11 and 12. Among the actors was Patricia Kalember who was asked about her appearances on the popular CBS series “Madam Secretary.” “Now that I have matured a bit, I am being offered many more roles,” she said. “There are more parts for character actors.” Catering was by Westport’s Da Pietro’s restaurant. For more information, visit http://www.jibproductions.org/ or call (203) 293-8729. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The memoir by Westport native Lynsey Addario and her exploits as an award-winning war photographer has been out for a month, but the bidding war for its film adaptation appears to be over.

Reported winners: Director Steven Spielberg and actress Jennifer Lawrence. Deadline.com photos

Deadline.com said Warner Bros. is working on a deal to bring “It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War” to the big screen with Steven Spielberg as director and Jennifer Lawrence in a starring role.

Film studios began bidding for the rights after excerpts were published in The New York Times Magazine, Deadline said.

Among the reported bidders: Working Title wanting it for Reese Witherspoon, “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky after it for Natalie Portman, and “The Wolf Of Wall Street’s” Margot Robbie and The Weinstein Company, trying for George Clooney and Grant Heslov.

Project Return’s 20th annual Birdhouse Auction Gala will be held Friday, March 27 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. It features artwork created by more than 100 artists, according to the birdhouse curators (l-r) Renee Gold, Mimi Van Deusen and Totney Benson. In advance of the event, the annual Birdhouse Stroll on Main Street will be held on Sunday, March 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a welcoming session by Eileen Fisher, 160 Main St. The birdhouses in the photo are (l-r): “It’s Only Natural” by Anita Sobelson, Weston; Twisted” by Sean Lynch, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; “House of Blues” by Mona Brown, Westport, and “Inside Out” by Miggs Burroughs, Westport. Visit www.projectreturnct.org to purchase tickets and for more information. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Mitchells of Westport will once again host the Near & Far Aid spring gala on Friday, this time with a special concert by five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

Sara Bareilles: five-time Grammy nominee. Contributed photo

The theme for the 20th anniversary event is “Voices of Hope,” highlighting individuals served and the agencies funded by the Southport-based charity. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Near & Far Aid.

It has remained an all-volunteer organization, currently working with more than 100 local agencies that address the causes and effects of poverty, and has granted over $14 million since 2000.

The celebratory fete begins at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy a standing dinner of seasonal epicurean fare and festive signature cocktails and have the opportunity to preview the best of spring fashion before heading into a tent adjacent to the store for the concert performance, an announcement said.

Mathis Iacono, 18 months, of New Canaan offers a friendly hand today to Zoey, a 5-year-old Greyhound retired racer, who is now a certified therapy dog. The get-to-know-you session with therapy dogs took place in the Sheffer Rehearsal Hall at the Westport Country Playhouse following the 1 p.m.  performance of “Dog Loves Books.” It was arranged in conjunction with the Reading to Rover program at the Westport Library. Lynne Perrigo, a children’s librarian and facilitator of the Reading to Rover program, a library staple for the past 10 years, said that as many as 20 certified therapy dogs are brought to the library multiple times each year so that children can improve their reading capabilities by reading to the empathetic therapy dogs.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com